The Master Technician: Taremi's Trademark Skills Shine, but Inter Milan Left Wanting

Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi has once again demonstrated his exceptional ability to create chances and draw penalties during Iran's recent World Cup qualification match against North Korea. Yet, while his playmaking prowess earned him accolades, his ongoing goal drought in open play continues to frustrate both Iranian fans and Inter supporters, who hope he can become a reliable scoring option.

A Stellar Performance for Iran

Following Inter's clash with Napoli, Taremi quickly departed to join the Iranian national team for back-to-back matches in the Asian World Cup qualifiers. Iran first faced North Korea at a neutral venue in Laos, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory to remain atop Group A with 13 points from five matches. Taremi was undoubtedly the centerpiece of the match, showcasing his two hallmark skills: creating assists and drawing penalties.

Three Assists of the Highest Quality

Taremi’s vision and technical ability were on full display as he orchestrated Iran’s three first-half goals, earning widespread praise from Asian sports media.

• First Assist: Operating in the attacking midfield role, Taremi delivered a sublime outside-foot through ball, threading it between two defenders and exploiting the narrow gap between another pair of defenders. This perfectly timed pass set up teammate Ghaedi for the opening goal.
• Second Assist: Positioned near the edge of the penalty area, Taremi attracted the attention of four North Korean players. With impeccable timing, he sliced through their defensive formation with a precise pass to Mehdi Moharami, who calmly converted. This assist drew comparisons to moments often seen in video games but rarely replicated in real-life football.
• Third Assist: Taremi received the ball on the left flank, skillfully maneuvering past three defenders before sending a horizontal pass into space. This allowed Moharami to control the ball, adjust, and unleash a powerful strike to extend Iran’s lead.

Iranian newspaper Tehran Daily lauded Taremi as a "top-class playmaker," claiming his first-half performance essentially sealed the victory for Iran.

Second Half Woes: Own Goal and a Missed Penalty

Despite leading 3-0 at halftime, Iran faced a nervy second half. A red card early in the second period reduced them to ten men, and Taremi's fortunes took a downward turn.

Defending deep in his penalty area, Taremi inadvertently deflected a cross into his own net, giving North Korea hope. Later, with the scoreline at 3-2, Taremi won a penalty after expertly drawing contact from defender Jang Guk Chol despite the latter's obvious attempts to avoid the foul.

Taremi stepped up to take the spot-kick himself but delivered a weak, low shot that North Korean goalkeeper Kang Ju Hyok saved with ease. Iran ultimately held on for the win, but the missed opportunity and tense finish underscored Taremi’s struggles.

Inter Milan's Growing Concerns

While Taremi's playmaking brilliance is undeniable, his inability to break his goal drought in open play has become a growing concern for Inter Milan. The Iranian forward has not scored from open play in two months, a statistic that weighs heavily on his confidence and shooting accuracy.

Inter manager Simone Inzaghi has emphasized the need for a clinical third scoring option to complement Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. Yet Taremi, who was expected to fill that role, has yet to deliver in front of goal. Instead, his contributions have been limited to assists and drawn penalties—useful attributes but not the primary reason Inter signed him.

Comparing Expectations and Reality

When Taremi joined Inter, much was made of his ability to win penalties, a skill he honed during his five-year stint in Portugal, where he earned an impressive 20 penalties. However, Inter fans were hoping for more than just his knack for drawing fouls. They wanted a forward who could decisively finish chances, particularly given the inconsistency of Joaquin Correa and the injury struggles of Marko Arnautović.

Italian media, including La Gazzetta dello Sport, have highlighted Taremi's ongoing drought, calling it a "psychological hurdle" for the player and an issue Inter must urgently address. The same article pointed out that while Martinez is grappling with criticism from fans and Thuram’s form has dipped from its early-season peak, Inter’s most glaring problem is the absence of a reliable third scorer.

All Eyes on the Kyrgyzstan Match

Taremi will have another opportunity to rediscover his scoring touch on November 19, when Iran faces Kyrgyzstan in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Not only could this match help Iran secure their place in the 2026 World Cup, but it also represents a chance for Taremi to finally end his goal drought.

For Inter Milan, a strong performance from their striker would be a welcome boost ahead of a challenging period in Serie A. With the team struggling to convert chances, Taremi breaking his scoring duck could help alleviate some of the pressure on Inzaghi’s attacking lineup.

Until then, Taremi remains a paradox: a forward whose exceptional playmaking skills are both a gift and a source of frustration for a club desperately seeking goals.